Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a well-known public research university in Bowling Green, Ohio, which is part of the Toledo metropolitan area. It is a mid-sized university with a population of around 17,645 students. Admissions are moderately selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 81%. The most popular majors at BGSU are Education, Business, Marketing, Communications, and Psychology. The university has a six-year graduation rate of 62%, and the median salary for BGSU graduates is around INR 51,00,000, converted from $61,600 median earnings after ten years of graduation.
The University of Toledo (UT) is a public research university in Toledo, Ohio, also part of the Toledo metropolitan area. It is a little larger, with around 15,545 students. The admissions are also moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of around 95%. Its most popular majors are Engineering, Nursing, Business, Health Professions, and Biology. The graduation rate for UT is 50% at six years, and the average salary of its graduates is a median of approximately INR 53,75,000 (converted from $64,900 median earnings at ten years post-graduation).
| Bowling Green State University | University of Toledo | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1001 Times Higher Education 2025 # 1505 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 280 US News 2024 | # 601 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 601 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 1001 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 1001 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2022 # 1001 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 168 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 601 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 150 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -80 PG Programs -33 | UG Programs -72 PG Programs -42 |
| Acceptance Rate | 81.0 % | 95.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-990 TOEFL-71 | IELTS-6 SAT-1020 TOEFL-71 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 17084 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30617 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20970 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 17894 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25588 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 25568 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and average salary are: Bachelor of Science: $99,000 Masters in Science: $80,000 MBA: $60,000 | |
| application requirements | - | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 135 for Business by US News 2024 | # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160GRE - 300/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 80/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -18617 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -17430 |
| application dates | Mar 8, 2024 (Application Deadline For Summer 2024 Intake) Jun 14, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2024 Intake) Nov 3, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2024 Intake) | Nov 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Bowling Green State University | University of Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1872 | |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 56% Female | 51% Male, 49% Female |
| Location Facts | The University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio. It is the northernmost campus of the University System of Ohio. The university also operates a 450-acre (180 ha) Health Science campus, which includes the University of Toledo Medical Center, in the West Toledo neighborhood of Toledo; a 160-acre (65 ha) satellite campus in the Scott Park neighborhood of Toledo; the Center for the Visual Arts is located in downtown Toledo at the Toledo Museum of Art; and a research and education facility, known as the Lake Erie Center, at Maumee Bay State Park. | |
| Library | William S Carlson Library is the largest of the University Libraries, with five floors of learning resources. It holds the majority of library collections. Mulford Library is located on The University of Toledo Health Science Campus. Everyone is welcome to use the library for healthcare research. The University Libraries participate in OhioLINK, which enables you to borrow books from any participating college or university library in the state. | |
| Campus Life | The Office of Student Involvement & Leadership is committed to student involvement on The University of Toledo's campus and in the community. Located in the Student Union, the office provides quality programs, services, and leadership opportunities that enrichstudents' experiences outside of the classroom. The office is responsible for the following areas of student involvement: Commuter Students and Off-Campus Services, Greek Life, Student Organizations, Student Activities and Programming, and Leadership Programming. In addition, the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership supports several major events on campus that are rich in history and tradition at UT: Homecoming, Rockethon, Songfest, Student Activities Fair, Blood Drives, Leadership UT, First Week/First Reads, and many more. While at UT, students have the opportunity to utilize the Student Recreation Center, an award winning fitness and aquatic center. The "REC" offers a wide variety of cardio and resistance machines, free weight room, climbing wall, 3 swimming and diving pools, 5 basketball/volleyball courts, indoor soccer, indoor track, racquetball, and a game room. The Office of Recreation also serves students through group exercise classes, personal training, fitness testing, intramurals, sport clubs, CPR classes, lifeguard classes, and swim lessons. On-campus residence halls offer great living and learning experiences, convenient services, and comfortable and attractive facilities. Residential living is complemented by a first-year experience program, which focuses on the needs and interests of first-year students. This and other out-of-class opportunities such as an arts floor, academic living learning floors, and a health professions living learning community help to connect the student with the University and can be a significant and valuable part of the college experience. | |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $4494 #Off campus (not with family) - $7578 #On campus - $8898 | #On campus - $11004 #Off campus (with family) - $6900 #Off campus (not with family) - $7664 |
| Famous Alumni | William H. Gerstenmaier, Astronaut and policymaker Philip baker hall, actor John W. Snow, Economist and former CEO of CSX corporation William Yosses, Chef and author | |
| City Life | Known as the "Glass City" for its roots in the glass-making industry, Toledo is just a short drive from other major Great Lakes metro areas like Detroit and Cleveland. But that doesn't mean residents are quick to get out of town. Toledo is home to an array of attractions, from museums to sports venues to kid-friendly activities, which keep those who live here entertained. Prominent attractions include the Toledo Museum of Art, Metroparks Toledo and the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. A mix of family-friendly activities and outdoor recreation draws people to this Ohio metro area. And while many residents either work for or attend classes at the University of Toledo, the Toledo metro area is more of a place that has a university than a place that revolves around the university and its students. Compared with other Ohio metro areas, the cost of living in Toledo is relatively low. Even though the average annual salary here is lower than the national average, residents are able to live comfortably. | |
| Weather |
Bowling Green State University vs University of Toledo
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and the University of Toledo (UT) are not global ranking titans such as Ivy League or Big Ten flagship schools, yet they both possess a strong regional standing. BGSU is particularly known nationally for its excellence in education, business, music, and the arts, whereas the University of Toledo is most popular for its engineering, health sciences, pharmacy, and business programs. As per U.S. News & World Report (2025), both universities come under the category of national universities, with Toledo ranking marginally above in research-oriented rankings, while BGSU carries a better reputation for student life and teaching standards.
General Information
Bowling Green State University, in Bowling Green, Ohio, is a public research university with approximately 17,000 students, including approximately 13,000 undergraduates. Its campus features a close, college-town community. The University of Toledo, headquartered in nearby Toledo, Ohio, is a larger public research university with around 16,000 students, including 11,000 undergraduates, and is situated in a metropolitan location, providing greater exposure to metropolitan opportunities and industries.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both universities have moderately selective admissions with an acceptance rate of 75–80%. it admits students who are interested in liberal arts, teacher education, business, and social sciences. UT admits students who have interests in STEM fields, healthcare, and professional studies, especially because of its associated medical center and solid co-op placements
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Toledo has a higher research profile, thanks largely to its medical school, engineering laboratories, and industry connections. It has substantial research in fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and health sciences. BGSU, while less research-intensive, is strong in applied research and creative fields, especially in arts, education, and sustainability studies.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both institutions are cheap public alternatives with tuition rates under the national average of private universities. In-state students normally pay $11,000–$12,000 per year, and out-of-state students pay around $20,000–$22,000. Both BGSU and UT offer merit and need-based scholarships, and BGSU tends to be profiled for its value-for-money undergraduate experience, with UT offering more generous funding for students in STEM and health sciences.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
The University of Toledo enjoys a competitive advantage in STEM careers, with students usually entering fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology. It has graduates reporting median earnings of approximately $52,000 ten years after they enrolled. Bowling Green State University graduates do very well in education, business, public administration, and fine arts, with median incomes slightly higher at $47,000 ten years after enrollment. Both institutions have good alumni networks in Ohio and the Midwest, with UT having better ties to urban industry and BGSU providing more individualized alumni interaction via its college-town environment.
